Electric cars are still more expensive to purchase than gasoline models, but they're considerably cheaper to maintain.
What they're saying: Maintenance costs for a battery-electric vehicle are 6.1 cents per mile, compared to 10.1 cents per mile for a conventional car with an internal combustion engine, according to research from the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
That's because an EV doesn't have things like spark plugs, an oil filter or a timing belt — and all the maintenance costs associated with them.
EVs have fewer moving parts overall, so there's less to break down.
Yes, but: They still have brakes, tires and accessories like headlights and windshield wipers that need to be replaced occasionally.
The bottom line: When you factor in savings on gas and maintenance over the life of the car, an EV doesn't cost that much more than a gasoline car.